Kambar-Ata HPP-1 is a priority investment project for ADB
The Permanent Director of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in the Kyrgyz Republic, Zheng Wu, confirmed full and comprehensive support for the mega-energy project of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1. This became known on October 9, when Mr. Wu, answering questions from a correspondent of Tazabek, stressed the strategic importance of this facility for the entire Central Asian region.
The Kambar-Ata HPP-1 project, according to the ADB director, is designed not only to strengthen the energy independence of the Kyrgyz Republic, but also to significantly increase the water security of neighboring states – Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. “This is a regional project that is extremely important for the energy security of the Kyrgyz Republic. At the same time, it contributes to water security, in particular, for neighboring countries – Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan,” Zheng Wu explained. He added that this facility will become one of the key priorities for ADB in the framework of future major investment initiatives.
Zheng Wu’s statement did not come as a surprise, but rather confirmed the previously voiced intentions. So, on June 5, 2025, the press service of the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic reported on the readiness of the ADB leadership to consider the allocation of 130-150 million US dollars for the first stage of the implementation of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1 project. These plans were discussed in Manila, Philippines, where Energy Minister Taalaibek Ibrayev met with representatives of the bank on June 4.
During the negotiations, various aspects of potential cooperation were considered. In particular, they discussed the involvement of the World Bank in the project, the discussion of investment conditions and further interaction, the coordination of the roadmap and the financing format. The Kyrgyz side expressed confidence in ADB’s ability to provide support not only financially, but also through expert and technical assistance, which is critical for such a large-scale construction.
Kambar-Ata HPP-1 is one of the largest energy projects in the history of independent Kyrgyzstan. The total estimated cost of the facility, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Energy, announced by Taalaibek Ibraev in January 2025 at a meeting of the parliamentary Committee on International Affairs, is an impressive 3.5 billion US dollars. According to the terms of reference, the main construction work is scheduled to begin in 2027, and the full commissioning of the HPP is expected by 2035.
Despite the upcoming start of the main works, preparations for construction have been actively conducted over the past few years. At the expense of budgetary funds, work has already been carried out on the laying of roads, the construction of bridges, the construction of a substation, the creation of a work campus, as well as the laying of tunnels and power transmission lines, which indicates the seriousness of intentions and a phased approach to the implementation of the project.
After commissioning, the installed capacity of the Kambar-Ata HPP-1 will be 1860 MW, and the average annual electricity generation will be about 5.6 billion kWh. This will increase the current electricity generation in Kyrgyzstan by about a third, which will significantly strengthen the country’s energy security and create the potential for exporting surpluses. The dam will be built approximately 8 km upstream from the Kambar-Ata HPP-2 and 17 km from the beginning of the Toktogul reservoir, on the Naryn River, which is a key waterway of the region.
News agency “Bishkek.Media”
Original (in Russian): Камбар-Атинская ГЭС-1 является приоритетным инвестпроектом для АБР
